Press Releases

The City of Topeka announced today the retirement notice of Topeka Police Chief Bryan Wheeles. Chief Wheeles will be closing out a three-decade long law enforcement career of distinguished service on July 1, 2024. He has worked in many capacities within the Topeka Police Department (TPD) to include; a patrol officer, a narcotics investigator, a homicide detective, a supervisor and various levels of police command, culminating as the Chief of Police.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to Chief Wheeles for his unwavering dedication and years of service to not only his fellow officers, but the city as a whole,” said Interim City Manager Richard Nienstedt. “Chief Wheeles leads by example. His calm, pragmatic, reliable presence in times of crisis is felt far beyond the police department. He is the first to offer help wherever he is needed and he will be deeply missed.”

“Thirty years of dedicated police service, within one community, makes me very proud,” said Chief Wheeles. “There are a lot of amazing people working at TPD and it has been an honor, beyond my ability to truly express, to serve beside them all these years. I loved my job and got to make a difference. When you come to the end of a career and look back, it’s hard to ask for more than that. It has been a great ride, in a great community and I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and seeing what life brings me out of the uniform.”

The city wants to acknowledge Chief Wheeles’ leadership, celebrate his career, and wish him a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement. In the coming weeks, the city will share details regarding the search process for the next Police Chief.

The City of Topeka announced Tuesday the potential sale of Hotel Topeka, located at 1717 SW Topeka Blvd. City Council and City staff understood the importance of finding a buyer that has the resources and vision to revitalize the property, while also recouping the funds that were invested by the City of Topeka.

Endeavor Hotel Group, a Hospitality Investment and Hotel Management Company based in Wichita, has submitted a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the purchase of Hotel Topeka. Their team brings deep industry experience, having previously managed over 46 hotels in 23 states. Endeavor currently manages seven hotels across the central U.S., including locations in Topeka, Lawrence, Norman, Columbia, Little Rock, and the Minneapolis area. Endeavor specializes in larger, upscale conference hotels and is actively building a regional portfolio of 25 to 30 properties over the next five years. Their approach centers on a proven “Reimagine, Rebrand, and Reposition” strategy aimed at delivering exceptional guest experiences and long-term value.

“Our team is excited to add the Hotel Topeka to our portfolio,” said President and CEO of Endeavor Roy Arnold. “We have a clear vision intended to create value for the community and to make Topeka a preferred destination for regional conferences and events.”
Endeavor plans to make an investment of approximately $6.0M for the rehab of the Hotel, plus it envisions spending another $2M to supplement operations until stabilization of the property

To date, the City of Topeka has spent $12.2M on Hotel Topeka. The agreement is structured to include a $1M cash payment, with the remaining $11.2M balance to be paid off with the proceeds from a CID (Community Improvement District) and the incremental increase in Transient Guest Tax. It is estimated that it will take approximately 20-years to recoup the City’s investment.

“Even though we are not recouping all of our investment up front, we recognize the risk that comes with the large investment that the Endeavor Group is making and want to make sure they are successful,” said Mayor Michael Padilla. “Ultimately, the more successful they are, the faster the City will be able to recoup the investment we made in Hotel Topeka. CID and TGT are taxes only collected from individuals that are staying/spending money at the hotel property.”

The LOI is contingent upon Shawnee County agreeing to provide Endeavor a long term management agreement for the Maner Conference Center, as well as the County investing approximately $6.0M in the rehabilitation of Maner to the same level as that proposed for Hotel Topeka.

“I’m excited about the vision Endeavor brings to Hotel Topeka and the potential it holds for our community,” said City Manager Dr. Robert Perez. “Selling the hotel was one of my top priorities this year, and it was important to the City Council and me that we find a buyer with the experience and resources to truly transform the property. Endeavor’s track record and strategic approach give us great confidence that this hotel will become a vibrant asset for Topeka once again.”

The City of Topeka has scheduled three public input sessions to gather community perspectives and priorities for the selection of Topeka’s next police chief. These in-person sessions will allow residents to share their ideas directly with the city manager. Interpretation services will be available. Details of the sessions are as follows:

Public Input Session #1

• Thursday, August 1, 2024
• 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, located at 1515 SW 10th Ave, Marvin Auditorium 101B

Public Input Session #2

• Friday, August 2, 2024
• 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
• Cyrus K. Holliday Building, located at 620 SE Madison St, First Floor Conference room

Public Input Session #3

• Saturday, August 3, 2024
• 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Hi-Crest CRC Care Center 455 SE Golf Park

The information gathered from the community survey and public input sessions will be used to update the job description for the police chief position. The selection process, led by an executive recruiter, will include several interview panels made up of councilmembers, law enforcement officials, and community members, media interviews and a public meet-and-greet before the final appointment of the new chief. Additional details on the meet-and-greet will be shared in the coming weeks.

“I am excited and hopeful as we embark on the selection process for Topeka’s next police chief,” said City Manager Robert Perez. “This must be a collaborative effort between the city and community, to ensure our next chief has department and community support and knows where to focus their energy. I have laid out an aggressive timeline for the selection, aiming to make the final appointment in late September or early October. I am confident this approach will help us select the best possible candidate for the job.”

The survey will close on August 2^nd.

Residents can access the survey at:

English Survey – https://us.openforms.com/Form/f84b9c2b-0e91-42b9-95c8-d2541e7dc54c

Encuesta en Español– https://us.openforms.com/Form/74814400-794c-44cd-9825-d903dd7476b8

The City of Topeka’s Governing Body selected Stephen Wade to serve as the next City Manager. Wade currently serves as the City’s Director of Administrative and Financial Services.

“Stephen’s experience in leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, and his vision for equity in government are some of the many reasons we selected him to lead the City of Topeka as our next City Manager,” said Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla.

Wade is a Shawnee Heights graduate and a Topeka resident. Prior to his role as the City’s Finance Director, he was the publisher of The Topeka Capital-Journal.

Wade holds a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Kansas and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Florida Institute of Technology.

He is currently working on an academic research project that calls for a greater emphasis on equity in municipal budgeting.

Wade currently serves on the board of directors for the Topeka Community Foundation, and he previously held board seats on Go Topeka and the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to serve in this role in the place I truly call home. I’m excited to represent our more than 1,000 City employees as we work to collectively make Topeka a better place to live, work and play,” Wade said. “I’ve pledged to the Governing Body that we will work with all neighborhoods and community members to ensure an atmosphere of fairness and equity.”

Topeka’s Governing Body approved Wade’s contract at Tuesday night’s City Council Meeting. The three-year contract includes Wade’s base salary, which will be $200,000.

Wade’s start date will be September 14, 2022 at 8:00 a.m.

On August 30, the City Manager finalists participated in interview panels with the Governing Body and community stakeholders. Wade was selected by the Governing Body out of a pool of more than 40 City Manager candidates from across the country. 13 candidates had ties to Kansas.

The City of Topeka is excited to announce the launch of the Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance Yard of the Month Program, beginning in June 2025. This initiative recognizes residents who take exceptional care of their yards, enhancing curb appeal and fostering a sense of
community pride.

The Office of Inclusive Communities (OIC) works to strengthen community connections by supporting programs and initiatives that encourage understanding, belonging, and inclusive practices across the community.

“This program is about more than just recognizing beautiful yards, it’s about fostering a sense of pride and belonging in every neighborhood, said Director of Inclusive Communities Monique Glaudeˊ. “A well-maintained yard can uplift an entire community, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all residents. By celebrating these efforts, we’re reinforcing the idea that every home, no matter the size or
location, has the potential to contribute positively to Topeka’s vibrancy and charm.”

Each month, one outstanding yard will be selected and recognized for its landscaping, maintenance,
creativity, and sustainability. The winning yard will proudly display the Yard of the Month sign and
receive special recognition from the City of Topeka. The Yard of the Month program aims to inspire residents to take pride in their properties, contributing to a cleaner, more beautiful Topeka. The City encourages all residents to participate by nominating
deserving yards and maintaining their own properties with care and creativity.

To nominate a yard, visit: https://forms.gle/ZZzp9rfHrtnZhTrk8

Para el formulario en español:
https://forms.gle/GsBvF7xoeMYWzC7L6

The City of Topeka is inviting community members to participate in the selection process for the next police chief by providing their input through a public survey and public input sessions.

The survey seeks to gather input on the qualities and priorities that citizens believe are most important for the next police chief. This feedback will play an important role in guiding the selection process and ensuring that the selected candidate aligns with the values and expectations of Topeka’s residents.

This is the first step in the selection process and will be followed by a series of public input sessions. Details on those sessions will be shared in the coming weeks.

“Selecting our next police chief is a critical decision that will impact the safety and well-being of our community,” said City Manager Robert Perez. “We want to ensure the selection process is transparent and inclusive, giving community members multiple opportunities to participate and share their perspectives.”

The survey will be open for two weeks and will close on August 2nd.

Residents can access the survey on our website at:

English Survey – https://us.openforms.com/Form/f84b9c2b-0e91-42b9-95c8-d2541e7dc54c

Encuesta en Español– https://us.openforms.com/Form/74814400-794c-44cd-9825-d903dd7476b8

Flushing a system varies based on the size of a building. Generally, customers should turn on all indoor faucets in their home or business for 10-15 minutes to flush approximately 40 gallons of water through their system. Due to outdoor weather conditions, consider using only indoor faucets like sinks, tubs, toilets and other washing appliances. Regular water use habits, like taking a shower or doing laundry are also effective methods of flushing. For homes or businesses with larger water heaters, flush for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Additional guidance on flushing procedures are laid out by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) here: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/…/Flushing-Interior-Plumbing…

The City of Topeka is assisting 18 residents after the discovery of unsanitary conditions and a carbon monoxide leak at an apartment building on Wednesday afternoon in East Topeka.

On August 7, 2024, just before 1 p.m., crews from the Topeka Fire Department (TFD) responded to a reported chemical odor at a residential building located at 313 SE Lime St. Upon arrival, firefighters measured unsafe levels of carbon monoxide and immediately notified the Kansas Gas Service and the Topeka Police Department’s Property Maintenance Unit (PMU). Two juveniles were transported to a local hospital by medical personnel to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

As a result of PMU’s investigation, raw sewage was found and four apartments have been condemned. This is an ongoing investigation.

The City of Topeka’s Housing Services Division responded and is working with the affected residents to provide relocation assistance.

The City of Topeka has been selected to receive more than $1.72 million in federal funding for pedestrian and bike-friendly improvements, Governor Laura Kelly announced today.

The City was selected for Transportation Alternatives (TA) funding that would help advance implementation of the major project priorities contained in the Topeka Bikeways Master Plan’s supplemental plan recently approved by the Metropolitan Topeka Planning Organization (MTPO) policy
board. The recommendations for these streets will help with the safety and comfort of the bike user and create an alternative mode of transportation.

The projects submitted in the TA application include the following locations:
• SW 5th Street – From Washburn to SE 4th Street
• SW 4th Street/Willow Avenue – From Washburn to Kansas Avenue
• SE Adams Street – From SE 10th Avenue to SE 1st Street

“Currently, the streets that have been selected are designed for vehicular traffic only and pose a safety concern to bicyclists trying to use our streets to get across the city,” said Assistant City Manager Braxton Copley. “These projects will help connect existing and future bikeways to Downtown.”
The City of Topeka’s project was one of 31 Kansas projects selected.

The City of Topeka’s Housing Services Division has been awarded a $4 million Lead Hazard Reduction Grant, which will be distributed from November 15, 2024, through November 15, 2028. These funds will be used to expand the division’s rehabilitation programs to address and mitigate
lead hazards, with the goal of making an estimated 180 homes lead-safe for families.

The grant will focus on 16 census tracts identified as disadvantaged and below 80% of the low-tomoderate income (LMI) level, as outlined on the City of Topeka’s Justice 40 map. It is anticipated that 90% of approved applicants will be families with children under the age of six, ensuring that the program directly benefits those most at risk for lead exposure.

“We are thrilled to receive this grant, which will allow us to protect Topeka’s most vulnerable residents
by making homes safer for young children,” said Carrie Higgins, Housing Services Division Director. “By
addressing lead hazards in older homes, we can prevent lead poisoning and create healthier living
environments for families in our community.”

This initiative reflects the city’s commitment to improving overall community health by targeting lead
hazards in homes located within historically disadvantaged areas. The Housing Services Division will use
the grant to enhance its existing rehabilitation programs, focusing on homes in need of lead remediation
and ensuring that LMI families, especially those with young children, have access to safe and secure
housing.

Through collaboration with local partners, the program will also provide educational resources to help
families and property owners understand the risks of lead exposure and how they can maintain safe
living conditions